Case Study: Chicago Housing Authority achieves $4.1M annual energy savings with Ameresco energy performance contracts

Chicago Housing Authority - Customer Case Study

The Chicago Housing Authority, the nation’s second-largest public housing authority, faced aging central steam plants, costly maintenance and overheating across many senior housing sites as part of its Plan for Transformation. To modernize building systems and leverage funding for broader renovations, the CHA engaged Ameresco under energy and water performance contracts (energy performance contracting/guaranteed energy savings) to address heating, hot water, HVAC, lighting and water-efficiency challenges.

Ameresco implemented a phased $47 million EPC program across the CHA portfolio—decentralizing central steam plants, upgrading HVAC and controls, installing energy-efficient refrigerators in 10,000 apartments, and delivering lighting and water conservation measures—along with construction management, commissioning, asbestos abatement and resident training. Ameresco’s work produced guaranteed annual savings of about $4.1 million, an expected reduction of ~304,000 metric tons of CO2 over the contract term, and resident workforce outcomes (88 residents employed in Phases 1–3 and 28 certified in Phase 4), while coordinating Section 3 and MWBE participation.

Chicago Housing Authority

Dave Anderson

Former Manager,Technical Services